Ibrahim Maza delivers a fine display during this 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or (Ballon d’Or 2026) by rising into the global top 10. During the 70th Ballon d’Or gala hosted this Tuesday evening in London, Algerian prodigy Ibrahim Maza reached a fresh milestone in his early career. The Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder enters the highly exclusive group of the planet’s ten greatest prospects in football. Among the evening’s main attractions was the ranking rewarding the world’s best young player, a category highlighting the rising stars set to dominate tomorrow’s football. In this pursuit of distinction, Algeria could rely on a choice representative in the person of Ibrahim Maza.
The verdict revealed by the trophy organizers sanctions the meteoric rise of the Algerian international. Ibrahim Maza secures a remarkable ninth position in the final standings of this 2026 edition. He thus officially establishes himself among the ten most performant and promising young talents on the international stage. At the very top of the bill, the global hierarchy remains spearheaded by Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal. The latter made history at the London ceremony by lifting the award for best young player for the third consecutive campaign, solidifying his exceptional status. For Ibrahim Maza, standing in the direct wake of such world benchmarks represents a major acknowledgment of his capabilities. This individual accolade stems from steady development at the highest European and global standard. Throughout the term, the young Fennec shined under the colors of German outfit Bayer Leverkusen, where his consistent displays and technical poise captivated observers worldwide. Beyond his impressive outings in the Bundesliga, his growing footprint within Algeria’s national squad weighed heavily in the decision. By asserting himself both in a major European league and internationally with the Greens, Ibrahim Maza validates his change of stature and confirms that he must now be counted among the elite of global football’s new wave.
Dembele endorses Maza and foresees a golden future for him!
Between chats on the red carpet, visible rapport, and a particularly complimentary message on Instagram, Ousmane Dembele did not hide his fascination for Ibrahim Maza during the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony. The 2025 Ballon d’Or winner even dropped a few words that will certainly spark reactions.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or event was highlighted by a meeting that did not go unnoticed on the Algerian side. Attending the gala in London, Ibrahim Maza shared multiple moments with Ousmane Dembele. The two footballers held various exchanges and conversations on the red carpet, showing a strong bond of sympathy between them. However, it was mainly following the ceremony that the Paris Saint-Germain forward dispatched a powerful note to the young Algerian international. Beneath a social media post by Maza dedicated to the evening, Dembele commented: “Next Ballon d’Or inshallah”. In other words, the Frenchman already views the Fennec as a prospective winner of world football’s most prestigious individual award. A notably flattering sign of encouragement from the 2025 Ballon d’Or holder, who understands better than anyone the magnitude of such a prize. Beyond the simple remark, Dembele also introduced Maza to his representative, an added indication of the solid dynamic between both figures. This closeness comes as the Bayer Leverkusen player’s name has been circulating recently amid rumors hinting at PSG’s interest. It remains difficult, nevertheless, to draw a direct link between those speculations and the interactions witnessed at the venue. The core point lies elsewhere: Dembele publicly demonstrated his backing for the young Algerian and appears convinced of his ceiling.